Track implement for air-brake systems.



P. J. CLIFFORD.

TRACK IMPLEMENT FOR AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT 26, 1917.

1 ,802, 1 35., Patented Apr. 29, 1919.

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IINITE STATES PATENT OFFIQE.

PATRICK J. CLIFFORD, OF AVOCA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 CLIFFORD AUTOMATIC TRAIN STOP COMPANY, OF SGRAN TON, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF DELA- WARE.

TRACK IMPLEMENT FOR AIR-BRAKE SYSTEMS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 29, 19119.

Application filed September 26, 1917. Serial No. 193,328.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PATRICK J. CLIFFORD, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Avoca, Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Track Implements for Air Brake Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improvement in track implements intended to be engaged by means on the locomotive or car, the movement of which means initiates certain actions to apply the brakes.

The invention consists in the features and combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a plan view of the implement.

Fig. 2 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view.

Fig. 4: illustrates the device in position between the rails.

This tripper device 1 is preferably placed midway between the rails in such position with relation to the entrance to a block as to operate to automatically prevent the train from entering or traveling any material distance into the block, should the en gineer have disregarded the warning signal.

This contact device, or tripper, is constructed and arranged so as to clear the contact arm on the engine if the block is'clear and to this end it is made depressible and held in its lowered position by electric current derived from the block system while the block is clear, or from any other convenient source.

My improved contact device, or tripper, comprises a member 1 of preferably rectangular shape supported within and projecting upwardly through a correspondingly shaped opening in a guide member 2. Said member 1 is normally pressed upwardly by a supporting spring 3 of leaf form having its intermediate portion secured to a central depending lug 1 by means of bolts, as shown in Fig. 2, and having its ends bearing on rollers 2 journaled onpins supported by the side walls of the guide member 2.

Upward movement of the member 1 beyond the determined and necessary elevation is prevented by the end lugs 1 engaging beneath the shoulders 2 of the guide 2.

The contact member has its upper surface sloped downwardly from the center toward each end so as to provide an inclined surface up which the movable contact device on the locomotive will ride, irrespective of the direction of travel of the trains. By having the contact member 1 supported centrally from the spring 3., it is capable of yielding at either end under the impact of the locomotive contact and thus avoid danger of breakage or injury. To make said contact member 1 inefiective when the block is clear, I connect to the center thereof a cable 4, as shown in Figs. 2 and 2, designed to be operated by a solenoid 5 (Fig. 4), which is energized from the block signal system when the block is clear, or from any other suitable source.

Any suitable form of contact device may be used on the locomotive or train. When the device is depressed at one end it fulcrums at its other end by the lip 1 bearing on the shoulder 2". i

The solenoid may be arranged under the ramp or track implement and connected thereto by a rod or it may be more remotely located and connected by a cable.

What I claim is:

1. In train stopping apparatus, a track contact comprising a guide member, a bar disposed longitudinally of the track and having its upper surface inclined upwardly from opposite ends, a leaf spring having its central portion connected to the central portion of said bar, means acting on the ends of the bar for limiting its upward movement, and means for holding said bar depressed when the track is clear.

2. In train stopping apparatus, a track contact device comprising a guide member secured to the roadbedand having an open top, a contact member guided in the casing and having upper faces inclining upwardly from the ends, said upper face projecting through said open top, said member having end lugs engaging beneath shoulders on the casing to limit the upward movement of the member, a leaf spring having its ends slidingly supported by said casing and its central portion connected to the center of said member, and means for holding said member depressed when the track is clear.

3. In train stopping apparatus a track contact device comprising an elongated guide a reversely inclined upper face projecting through said open top, said contact member having end lugs engaging beneath shoulders on the casing and having a, central down Werdly extending projection, a leaf spring having its central portion connected to said lug, cross pins on the guide member on Which the ends of the springs slidingly rest, and means connected with said projection on the contact member for holding it de 10 pressed When the track is clear.

- In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

PATRICK J. CLIFFORD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner ofl Patents Washington, D. G. 

